D 580 
.U6 
1917 
Copy 1 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 

018 465 951 7 



D 580 
.U6 
1917 
Copy 1 



id distributed April 4, 1917. 



T 



DEPARTMENT OF STATE. 



PAPERS RELATING TO MARITIME DANGER 

ZONES AND THE PLACING BY BELLIGERENTS 

OF MINES IN THE HIGH SEAS. 



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LIST OF PAPERS. 



From and to whom. 




Ambassador Gerard to the Sec- 
retary of State (telegram). 



1914. 
Aug. 7 



Memorandum from the British ' Aug. 11 

Embassy. 



Memorandum to the British Aug. 13 
Embassy. 



Memorandum from tlie British Aug. 14 
Embassy. 

Memorandum from the British Aug. 19 
Embassy. 



30 

Memorandum from the British Aug. 'ISO. 
Embassy. 



Memorandum from the British 
Embassy. 

The German Ambassador to the 
Secretarj' of State. 



Aug. 23 



Sept. 10 



Ambassador W. H. Page to the Sept. 28 

Secretary of State. 

i 
Memorandum from the British j Oct. 2 

Embassy. ' 

Ambassador Hen-ick to the I Oct. 9 

Secretary of State. 



Ambassador W. H. Page to the , Oct. 2S 
Secretary of State (telegram), i 

Ambassador W. H. Page to the Nov. 2 

Secretary' oi State (telegram). 
The British Ambassador to the [ Nov. 3 

Secretary of State. ; 



Ambassador Marj'e to the Sec- Nov. 5 
retary of State (telegram). , 

Ambassador Gerard to the Sec- Nov. 13 
retary of State. 

Ambassador Gerard to the Sec- ■ Nov. 17 
retarv of State. 



The Secretary of State to Am- Dec. 8 
bassador Gerard. I 



Consul General Sldimer to the Dec. 11 
Secretary of State. i 



S9244— 17 



Reports he is informed by German Foreign Office that Ger- 
man ports are strewn ^vith mines and it is requested that 
warning be given shippers against na\igating in ports 
which foreign forces might use as bases. 

Communicates telegram he received from his Government 
informing liim that the Germans had indiscriminately 
mined the North Sea and that in self-defense the British 
Admiralty will adopt measures that will make naviga- 
tion even more perilous. 

The Department, repMng to the British memorandum, 
states tliat the reported act of Germany is in disregard 
of Article 1 of the The Hague Convention, and sees no 
reason why, as a defensive measure, Great Britain 
should adopt a similar course. 

Communicates telegram from the British Government in 
which they state they will try to indicate certain routes 
and channels for trade to pass to the Scheldt. 

Points out that if Great Britain refrains from adopting the 
methods of Germany, in mining North Sea, the result 
is that Germany receives impunity unless the neutral 
Powers can find some means of making Germany feel 
that she can not continue to recei^■e trade and supplies 
tlu'ough neutral shipping. 

Quotes te.Kt of telegram from Sir E. Grey stating that an 
Iceland trawler was reported to have struck a mine 25 
miles off the Tyne and sunk, and stating that no British j 
mines liave been laid. _ _ i 

Quotes telegram from British foreign office warning against ' 
German mines in the North Sea and stating that the 
British Admiralty have not so far laid any mines during 
the present war. 

Stales no German port is blockaded and nothing stands 
in the way of neutral states' sea trade with Germany. 
Denies British reports that North Sea has been infested 
with mines by Germany. 

Transmits a protest made by the British Government 
against the methods pursued by the German Navy in 
laying mines in the North Sea. 

Notification of British mine area in North Sea 

Incloses copy in translation, toother with its inelosure, 
of a note from the Minister for Foreign Affairs, giving the 
text of notice relative to the use of submarine mines in 
the Adriatic Sea. 

States that a German mine field has been discovered off 
tlie north coast of Ireland and the British .'Vdmiralty 
warns shipping not to pass within 60 miles of Tory Island. 

Reports Sir IMward Grey informs him mine fields north of 
Ireland were laid by Germans. 

Incloses copy of a telegram received from the British 
Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs in which notice is 
given that the whole of the North Sea must be con- 
sidered a miUtary area. 

Reports official notification by Russian Government of 
mined zone. 

Incloses German reply to the British protest against the 
laying of German mines. 

Transmits copy in translation of a communication received 
from Imperial Foreign Office, Nov. 14, 1914. relative to 
regulations for na^dgation in the German Bay of the 
North Sea. 

States that a copy of reply of German Government to pro- 
test of British Government against the laying of German 
mines has been forwarded to American Ambassador at 
London for transmission to British Foreign Office, 
ilncloses copy of a circular received from British Ad- 
miralty regarding the na\-igation of the North Sea and 
English Channel. 

(3) • 



10 

10 

12 
13 

14 

14 
14 

16 
16 
18 

19 

20 



No. 



Prom and to ■whom. 



J. No. 

A869 



615 



193 



1485 



The German Ambassador to the 
Secretary of State. 

Consul General Skinner to the 
Secretary of State (telegram). 

Ambassador Gerard to the Sec- 
retary of State. 



Consul General Skinner to the 
Secretary of State (telegram). 

Consul General Skinner to the 
Secretary of State (telegram). 



Consul General Skinner to the 
Secretary of State. 

The Secretary of State to Am- 
bassador W. H. Page (tele- 
gram). 

Ambassador W. H. Page to the 
Secretary of State (telegram). 



The Secretary of State ad 

interim to Ambassador W. li. 

Page (telegram). 
Consul General Skinner to the 

Secretary of State (telegram) . 
Ambassador W. H. Page to the 

Secretary of State (telegram). 



The Secretary of State to Am- 
bassador W. H. Page (tele- 
gram). 



Ambassador W. H. Page to the 
Secretary of State (telegram) . 

Consul General Sldnner to the 
Secretary of State (telegram). 

Ambassador W. H. Page to the 
Secretary of State (telegram). 

Ambassador W. H. Page to the 
Secretary of State (telegram). 



The British Ambassador to the 
Secretary of State. 

Ambassador W. H. Page to the 
Secretary of State (telegram). 

Ambassador W. H. Page to the 
Secretary of State (telegi'am). 

The Secretary of State to the 
British Ambassador. 



Ambassador W. H. Page to the 
Secretary of State (telegram) . 



Date. 



101.? 
Feb. 


6 


Feb. 


27 


Mar. 


2 


Mar. 


6 


Jlay 


17 


Jlay 


19 


May 


20 



Subject. 



June 


5 


June 


16 


June 


23 


July 


23 



July 26 



Aug. 17 

Sept. 3 

1916 
May 2 

May 29 



.July 1 

1917 
Jan. 25 

Feb. 15 

Feb. 19 



Mar. 23 



Transmits warning that Germany will resist the shipment 
of forces and implements by Great Britain to France with 
every war means at its command. 

Mariners warned navigation entirely forbidden to all ships 
of described area in Irish Channel. 

Incloses copy in translation of a note verbale received from 
the Imperial Foreign Office Feb. 28, 1915, relative to 
tlie extent of the war area proclaimed by the German 
Admhalty. 

Telegraphs with reference to a warning Issued by the 
British Admiralty for vessels navigating between Great 
Yarmouth and the English Channel. 

States admiralty cancels notice on navigation North Sea 
dated Nov. 30, 1914. Masters strongly urged to obtain 
latest notices before sailing from British ports. Gives 
principal mined areas as far as kno"wn. 

Incloses copy of British Admiralty notice relating to navi- 
gation in the North Sea and British home waters. 

States the Department does not fidly understand the inten- 
tion and effect underlying the regulations of admiralty 
in canceling notice on navigation North' Sea of Nov. 30, 
1914, cabled by Skinner May 17. Instructs Mr. Page to 
make report on subject. 

Transmits reply of British Foreign Office to inquuy of 
Ambassador Page as to Admiralty announcement can- 
celing notice on navigation in North Sea of Nov. 30, 
1914. 

States th.at the Department's inquiry is not fully answered 
by the note of British Foreign Office, and dhects Mr. Page 
to secirre further explanation. 

Informs Department of notice to mariners issued by British 
Admiralty. 

Quotes note from Foreign Office, July 22, which states that 
neutral merchant vessels must applj' tlirough their 
diplomatic representative for special directions of the 
Admiralty as to the north-about route. 

States DeiJartment understands requirement in Admiralty 
notice of May 15 that neutral vessels bound to North Sea 
by north-about route must obtain from Admiralty special 
directions, applies only to vessels sailing from British 
ports and not from American or neutral ports. Report 
whether this understanding is correct. 

Quotes note from Sir E. Grey relating to neutral vessels 
passing north-about from one neutral port to another. 

Reports Admiralty Order 764 regarding navigation in 
Straits Dover between Vame Shoal and Folkestone. 

Quotes circular note from Foreign Office, May 1, 1916, an- 
nouncing extension of British mine field off Belgian coast. 

States Foreign Office informed him May 27 that eastern 
limit of danger area of British mine field off Belgian coast 
should be defined as the meridian of 3° 18' east instead of 
3° 20' east as previously notified. 

Transmits copy of an Admiralty notice to mariners, relative 
to certain mined areas in North Sea. 

British notification of mine area in the North Sea 



British revised notification of dangerous area in the North 
Sea. 

States that the Government of the United States, for the 
protection of American interests, reserves generally all 
of its rights in the question of appropriating certain 
portions of the liigh seas for military operations, to the 
exclusion of the use of the hostile area as a common 
liighway of commerce. 

British notification of dangerous area in the North Sea. . . 



NOTE. 

For additional documents previously printed see 
EuEOPEAN War No. 1, as follows: • 

Ambassador Gerard to the Secretary of State, Feb- 
ruary 6, 1915, page 52. 

The Secretary of State to Ambassador Gerard, Feb- 
ruary 10, 1915, page 54. 

The Secretary of State to Ambassador W. H. Page, 
February 20, 1915, page 59. 

(5) 



6 

File No. 763.72/257. 

Ambassador Gerard to the Secretary of State. 
[Telegram — ^Paraphrase.] 

Ameeioan Embassy, 
Berlin, August 7, 1914' 
Mr. Gerard reports that he is informed by the German 
Foreign Office that German ports are strewn with mines 
and it is requested that timely warning be given shippers 
against navigating in ports which foreign forces might 
use as bases. 



File No. 763.72/566. 

Memorandum from the British Embassy. 

His Majesty's Charge d'Affaires presents his com- 
pliments to the Secretary of State and has the honour to 
communicate to him the following telegram which he 
received last night from the Foreign Office: 

"The Germans are scattering contact mines indis- 
criminately about the North Sea in the open sea without 
regard to the consequences to merchantmen. Two days 
ago four large merchant ships were observed to pass 
within a mile of the minefield which sank H. M. S. 
Amphion. The waters of the North Sea must therefore 
be regarded as perilous in the last degree to merchant 
shipping of aU nations. In view of the methods adopted 
by Germany the British Admiralty must hold themselves 
fully at hberty to adopt similar measures in seK defence 
which must inevitably increase the dangers to navigation 
in the North Sea. But, before doing so, they think it 
right to issue this warning in order that merchant ships 
under neutral flags trading with North Sea ports should 
be turned back before entering the area of such excep- 
tional danger. 

British Embassy, 

Washington, August 11, 1914. 



File No. 763.72/566. 

Ilemorandum to the British Embassy. 

The Secretary of State presents his comphments to 
His Britannic Majesty's Charg6 d'Affaires and acknowl- 
edges the receipt of his Memorandum of August 11, 1914, 
commimicating a telegram received by him from the 
Foreign Office stating that the Germans are scattering 
contact mines indiscriminately in the open waters of the 
North Sea without regard to the consequences to mer- 
chantmen, thus rendering these waters perilous to the 
shipping of all nations, and that in view of the methods 
adopted by Germany the British Admiralty hold them- 
selves at liberty to adopt similar measures in self de- 
fense, thus increasing the dangers to navigation in the 
North Sea, 

It is not stated in the Memorandiun whether the con- 
tact mines are floating or anchored, but it is presumed 
from the expression "scattering contact mines indis- 



criniiuately " tluit it wat. tho iutwaiou to convoy tho idea 
that ilw. mines refeiTed to are floating mine:;. 

The liniitiition phic.ed upon tli(< use of floating contact 
mines hy .\j-ticle 1 of 'llw Hague Convention of 1907 
relative to the Laying of Automatic Submarine Contact 
Mines is that they shj;]! lieconie liarmh-ss within one hour 
after being hi id. 

The Secretary of State is U ath to beheve that a sigi\a- 
tory (<> that Convention would wilfully disregard its 
treaty obligation, which \\iis mnTiifestly inad(^ in the in- 
terest of neutral shipi)ing. 

-Ul restrictions upon (he rights of neutrals upon the 
high seas, the commoii lughway of nations, during the 
piogn^ss of a war, are permitted in tho interests of the 
belligerents, wlio are bound in return to ])ievent theii- 
hostile opeintions from increasing tlie hazard of neutral 
ships in (lie ()])en sea so fur as tlie exigencies of tho war 
permit. 

If an enemy of His Maje.^tj's Government has, as as- 
sorted, eu<1angered neutral commeice by an act ui viola- 
tion of Tlu^ Hague Convention, which camiot bo justified 
on tho ground of militarj- necessity, the Secretary of 
State ])erceives no reason for His Majesty's Government 
adopting a similai coui-se, which woidd add further dan- 
geis to the peaceful navigation of tin* higli seas bj- ves- 
sels of neutral j)owei's. 

Tlie Secretary of State, therefo!(^, exju'osscs the earnest 
and confident hojje that Hi-- Majestys Govoi'ument may 
not feel compelled to resort, as a defensive measure, to a 
method of naval warfare, which would appear to be con- 
trarj- to the terms of The Hague Convention, and imjwsc 
upon (he shi]is and lives of n<>utrals a needless menace 
when peaceal>ly navigating the high seas. 

Drpart.mext of State. 

WasMv{jton, Aut/ust Id, WIJ,. 



File No. 763.72/419. 

Merriwandum from the British Embassy. 

The British Embassy presents its compliments to the 
Department of State and with reference to its memo- 
randum of August 11 on the subject of contact mines in 
the North Sea has the honour to commimicate the fol- 
lowing telegram received from His Majesty's Govern- 
ment. 

"German action and the measures it may entail are a 
source of grave danger to shipping. British Admiralty 
wiU however from time to tmie and subject to naval 
exigencies trj' to indicate certain routes and channels for 
trade to pass' to the Scheldt and they do not ^vish in any 
degree to keep trade away from the Enghsh Chamiel. 

" Diiliculties ui the way of a guarantee for the Rhine 
which is nearer to the "centre of war are at present 
insuperable." 

British Embassy, 

Washington, August 14, 1-914- 



File No. 763.72/552. 

Memorandum from, the British Em.hassy. 

His Britannic Majesty's Charge d'Affaii-es presents his 
compliments to the United States Secretary of State and 
has the honour to acknowledge the receipt of his memo- 
randum of August 13 in which, with reference to the 
action of Germany in placing contact mines in the North 
Sea and the right reserved by His Majesty's Government 
to take similar measures in self-defence, the Secretary 
of State expresses the hope that His Majesty's Govern- 
ment may not feel compelled to resort to a method of 
warfare which would appear to be contrary to the terms 
of the Hague Convention of 1907 and impose upon the 
ships and lives of neutrals a needless menace when 
peaceably navigating the high seas. 

His Majesty's Charge d' Affaires lost no tune in fully 
informing His Majesty's Government of the views which 
the Secretary of State was good enough to express m the 
memorandmn under reply and he now begs to communi- 
cate a further expression of Sir Edv/ard Grey's views as 
received by telegraph. 

It is stated that there is no doubt whatever that auto- 
matic contact mines have been placed bj^ Germany in 
the high seas where they are dangerous to merchant 
shipping, as a German mine-laying vessel was caught in 
the act. It is not alleged that they are a breach of any 
Convention concluded at The Hague to which Germany 
is a party but that does not make them less dangerous 
to merchant shipping. 

His Majesty's Government share the reluctance of 
the Secretary of State to see the practice extended and 
the danger to neutral shipping increased. At the same 
time His Majesty's Charge d'Aff aires is instructed to 
point out that if Great Britian refrains from adopting the 
methods of Germany the result is that Germany receives 
impunity unless the neutral Powers can find some means 
of making Germany feel that she cannot continue to 
preserve aU facilities for receiving trade and supplies 
through neutral shipping while impeding British com- 
merce by means, the use of which by Great Britain is 
deprecated by the United States Government. 

British Embassy, 

Washington, August 19, 1914. 



File No. 763.72/692. 

Mem.orandum from the British Embassy. 

The British Ambassador presents his compliments to 
the Secretaiy of State and has the honour to communicate 
the text of a telegram received today from Sir E. Grey: 

"His Majesty's Government have learnt that on or 
about August 26th an Iceland trawler is reported to have 
struck a mine 25 miles off the Tyne and sunk, and at 
least one foreign newspaper has stated that the mine 
was English. Although the German action in laying 
mines has forced the Admiralty to reserve to themselves 
the right to do likewise, the statement aheady made by 
His Majesty's Government that no British mines have 



9 

been laid remains absolutely true at this moment. 
Tlio m i nes off the Tyne were laid thirty miles to seaward, 
not as part of any definite military operation nor by 
German ships of war but by German trawlers of whicli 
a considerable number appear to have been engai^ed on 
this work: the number of one such trawler aetually seen 
to be doing this was A. E. 24 E^mden. It would be 
well if the conduct of those who orth'red her to perform 
this act were carefuUj' cojisidcrcd by neutral powei-s." 

British Embassy, 

Washington, AugusfkOUi, 1914. 



File No. 7G3.72/G40. 

Memorandum from the British Embassy. 

His Majesty's Ambassador presents his compliments to 
the Secretary of State and has the honom- to commuiu'cate 
to him the following telegram received from the Foreign 
Office yesterday summarizing the Naval position of the 
war up to date: 

"The Admiralty wish to th'aw attention to their 
previous warning to neutrals of the danger of traversing 
the North Sea. The Germans are continuing their 
practice of laying mines indiscriminately upon the 
ordinary trade routes. These mines do not conform to 
the conditions of the Plague convention: they do not 
become harmless after a certain number of hours; they 
are not laid in connection with any definite military 
scheme such as the closiiig of a military port or as a 
distinct operation agaijist a fighting fleet, but appear 
to be scattered on the chance of catcJiing iniHvidual 
British war or merchaJit vessels. Iji consequence of 
this policy neutnd ships, no matter what their destina- 
tion, are exjiosed to the gravest da.ngers. Two Danish 
vessels the S. S. Maryland ajid the S. S. Brohery have 
within the last 24 hours been destroyed by these deadly 
engines in the North Sea while travelling on the ordinary 
trade routes at a considerable distance from the British 
Coast. In addition to this, it is reported that two Dutch 
steamers clearijig from Swedisli ports were yesterday 
blown up by German mines in tlie Baltic. In these 
circumstances tlie Admiralty desire to impress not only 
on British but on neutral snipping the vital importance 
of touching at BritisJi ports before enterijig the Nortli 
Sea in order to ascertain according to the latest informa- 
tion the routes and chajuiels which the Admiraltj' are 
keeping swept and along which these dangers to neutrals 
and merchant men arc reduced as far as possible. The 
Admiralty, while reserving to themselves the utmost 
liberty of retaUatory action against this new form of 
warfare, ainiou.nce that they have not so far laid any 
mines during ihe present war and that they are en- 
deavoui'ing to keep the sea routes open for peaceful 
commei'ce." 

British Embassy, 

Worslvington, August 23, 1914. 



10 

File No. 763.72/853. 

The German Ambassador to the Secretary of State. 

[Translation.] 

German Embassy, 
New Yorl:, September 10, 191^. 

Mr. Secretary of State: By direction of my Gov- 
ernment I have the honor respectfully to bring the fol- 
lowing to Your Excellency's knowledge. 

No foundation for idea prevalent among neutrals 
abroad that because of the blockade of German ports sea 
trade with Germany is tied up. No port is blockaded 
and nothing stands in the way of neutral states' sea 
trade with Germany. 

The assertions from England that the North" Sea has 
been infested with mines by Germany are wrong. 

Neutral vessels bound for German ports in the North 
Sea must steer by day for a point 10 nautical miles N. W. 
off Helgoland. There will German pilots be found in 
readiness to pilot the ships into port. 

Neutral vessels must sail direct for Baltic sea ports, 
every one of which has pilots. 

The prohibition of coal export does not include bunker 
coal and coaling is assured. 
Accept, etc., 

J. Bernstorff. 



File No. 763.72/1075. 

Ambassactor W. H. Page to the Secretary of State. 

No. 476.] American Embassy 

London, September 28, 1914. 
Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith a protest 
made by the British Government against the methods 
pursued by the Germany Navy in laying mines in the 
North Sea. 

This protest was enclosed to me by his Majesty's 
Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, in a communica- 
tion requesting that it be forwarded to the Government 
of the United States. 
I have, etc., 

Walter Hines Page 



[Inclosure.] 

His Majesty's Government consider it their duty to 
bring before the notice of the United States Government 
the practice which is being pursued by the German naval 
authorities in laying mines on the high seas on the trade 
routes, not only to British but to neutral ports, and in 
furtherance of no definite mihtary operation. His 
Majesty's Government have reason to think that fishing 
vessels, possibly disguised as neutral, are employed for 
the purpose, and lay these mines under the pretense of 
following the ordinary avocations of fishing. Mines have 
been found in several cases as much as 50 miles from the 
coast. 



n 

This practice has already resulted, since the commence- 
ment of the war, in the clestniction of eight neutral and 
seren British merchant and fishing vessels, so far as at 
present ascertained, with the loss of some sixty lives of 
neutral and nonconibataiit persons. 

The practice of laying ininos indiscriminately and in 
large numbers on the high seas, entirely regardless of the 
dangers to peaceful shipping, is in flagrant violation of 
the accepted jirinciples of international law and contrary 
to the primary dictates of humanity. It is also in direct 
contradiction with the language of Baron MarsthaU von 
Bicberslein, who, as Fu-st Genuan delegate at the Peace 
Conference of 1907, spoke as follows: "We do not intend, 
if I may employ an expression used by the British dele- 
gate, 'to sow mines in profusion on every sea.' * * * 
We do not hold the opinion that everything which is not 
expressly forbidden is permitted." 

The freedom of the seas for peaceful trading is an es- 
tablished and uuivei-saily accepted principle; this fact 
has never been more clearly recognized than in the words 
of the report of tlie third Couuniltee of the Second Peace 
Conference, which dealt witli the question of submarine 
contact mines: "Even apart from any written stipula- 
tion it can never fail to be present in the minds of all tliat 
the principle of the lilierty of the seas, with the obliga- 
tions wliicli it imphes on behalf of those who make use 
of this wa}- of communication open to the nations, is the 
indisputable prerogative of the human race." 

This principle received further recognition in the 3rd 
article of the Convention relathig to the laying of sub- 
marme contact mines : — 

"When anchored automatic contact niinos are employed, 
every possible prcca\ition niust be taken for the security 
of peacefid shipping. 

■'The belhgercnts imdertake to do their utmost to 
render these mmes harmless after a hmitcd time has 
elapsed, and, shoidd the mines cease to be imder obser- 
vation, to notify the danger zones as soon as military exi- 
gencies peimit, by a notice to mariners, wliich must also 
be conunimicated to the Governments through the diplo- 
matic chamiel." 

Not only have the German Government neglected to 
take every possible precaution for the safety of neutral 
shipping, but they have, on the contrary, deliberately 
and successful^ contrived to sow danger in its track. 
The mined zones have not been kept under observation 
nor has any notification of their locality ever been made. 
The provisions of this article, wliich the Gennan Govern- 
ment are pledged to observe have therefore been violated 
in thi'ee distinct ways. 

Article 1, Section 2, of the same Convention has 
equally been violated by the German Government, for 
the mines which they have laid have in numerous 
instances been found adrift from their moorings without 
having become hai-mless. Yet the German Govei-nment 
made no reservation respecting this article either when 
signing or ratifying the Convention. 

The degree of respect Avith whidi the German Govern- 
ment treat their written pledges, and the jiledges given 



12 

verbally in their name by theii' representatives, is suffi- 
ciently apparent from what is stated above. It is 
brought into yet higher relief in the light of the following 
statement made by Baron Marschall before the third 
Committee of the last Peace Conference, and repeated 
by him in fuU, and with added emphasis, at the 8th 
plenary meeting of the Conference : — 

"A belligerent who lays mmes assumes a very heavy 
responsibility toward neutrals and peaceful slaipping. 
* * * No one will resort to such means xmless for 
military reasons of an absolutely urgent character. But 
miUtary acts are not governed solely by principles of 
international law. There are other factors: conscience, 
good sense, and the sentiment of duty imposed by prin- 
ciples of humanity will be the surest guides for the con- 
duct of sailors, and will constitute the most effective 
guarantee against abuses. The officers of the German 
Navy, I emphatically afffi-ra. will always fulfd, in the 
strictest fashion, the duties which emanate from the 
unwritten law of humanity and civilisation." 

His Majesty's Government desire to place on record 
their strong protest against the illegitimate means of con- 
ducting warfare which has been resorted to by their 
adversaries. They feel that its manifest inhumanity 
must call down upon its authors the censure and repro- 
bation of all civihsed peoples. 

Foreign Office, Seftemher 26, 1914- 



File No. 763.72/1104. 

Memorandum front ihe Britifili Emlass]!. 

TEI>EGEAM FROM SIR EDWARD GREY TO SIR CECIL SPRING 
RICE, OCTOBER 2, 1914. 

The German policy of minelaying combined with their 
submarine activities makes it necessary on militaiy 
groimds for Admiralty to adopt countermeasures. His 
Majesty's Government have therefore authorized a mine- 
laying policy in certain areas and a system of minefields 
has been established and is being developed upon a con- 
siderable scale. In order to reduce risks to noncom- 
batants the Admiralty announce that it is dangerous 
hence-forward for ships to cross area between Latitude 
fifty-one degrees fifteen minutes north and fifty-one 
degi-ees forty minutes north and Longitude one degree 
thirty-five minutes east and three degrees east. In this 
connection it must be remembered that the southern 
limit of the German minefield is latitude fifty-two degrees 
north. Although these limits are assigned to the danger 
area it must not be supposed that navigation is safe in 
any part of the southern waters of the North Sea. In- 
structions have been issued to His Majesty's ships to 
warn east going vessels of the presence of this new 
minefield. You should inform Government to which 
you are accredited without delay. 



13 

PUe No. 763.72/1107. 

Ambassador Uerrick to the Secretary of State. 

No. 704.] American Embassy, 

Paris, October 9th 191J,. 
Sut: Confirming my telcgi-am Xo. 184 of this date, rela- 
tive to the placing of submarine mines in the Adriatic 
Sea, I hare the honor to transmit herewith a copy and 
translation, together with its enclosure, of a note from 
the Minister for Foreign Affairs, giving the text of the 
advice inserted in the "Journal Officiel'' in regard 
thereto. 

I have, etc., 

Myhon T. Herrick. 



[Inclosiire — Tranflktion.] 

Ministry for Foreign Affairs, 

French Republic. 
The Minister for Foreign Affairs has the honor to trans- 
mit to His Excellency the Ambassador of the United 
States, the accompanying notification made in conformity 
with the stipulation of Article 3, Par. 2 of the 8th Conven- 
tion of The Hague 1907 relative to the use of submarine 
mines. 

Bordeaux, October 6th 1914. 



[Sub-inclosure — Translation .] 

notice 
Published in the "Journal Officiel" Official part. 

Automatic mines having been sown in the Adriatic sea 
by the Aiistro-Hungarian navy, the French naval forces 
have been obUged to resort to similar measures in the said 
sea. 

However, in order to avoid that inoffensive neutral 
ships should suffer harm such as has been unjustly caused 
by the Austro-Hungarian mines, the mines laid down by 
the French navy are in conformity with the provisions 
stipulated by the 8th Convention of the Hague, 1907. 

The zone that is dangerous to navigation, comprises 
the territorial waters of the Austro-Hmigarian kingdom 
and the channels between the islands along the coast of 
Dalmatia. 

Notice is hereby given to all whom it may concern, in 
conformity with Article 3, Par. 2 of the aforesaid Con- 
vention. 

Approved : 

The Minister for Marine 

(Signed) Victor Augagneuk 

Attest : 

The Vice-Admiral Chief of Staff 

(Signed) Pivet. 



14 

File No. 763.72/1141. 

Ambassador W. H. Page to the Secretary of State. 
[Telegram.] 

American Embassy, 

London, October 28, 1914- 

Referring to my 926/ October twenty-seTenth. A 
German mine field has been discovered off tbe north 
coast of Ireland and the British Admiralty warns ship- 
ping not to pass within sixty miles of Tory Island. One 
British ship bound from Manchester to Montreal struck 
a mine there and went down. This mine field is in a 
location which suggests that it was meant rather for mer- 
chant than naval ships. 

Part of channels of the Thames have been closed by 
Admiralty. 

A Dutch ship struck a mine forty miles north of 
Ymuiden and sank. 

The sinking of the passenger boat across the channel 
by a mine is disputed. 

Page. 



File No. 763.72/1161. 

Ambassador W. E. Page to tTie Secretary of State. 
[Telegram — Paraphrase . ] 

American Embassy, 

London, November 2, 1914. 
Mr. Page states that he is informed by Sir Edward 
Grey that the mine fields North of Ireland were laid by 
Germans from vessels fljdng neutral flags. The mines 
are directly in the path of some of the transatlantic ves- 
sels and the liner Olympic recently was dangerously near 
the mines. The danger from the mines is constantly 
spreading over a wider area. 



File No. 763.72/1171. 

The British Ambassador to the Secretary of State. 

No. 375.] British Embassy, 

Washington, November 8, 1914. 
Sir: In compliance with instructions received from 
Sir Edward Grey, His Majesty's Principal Secretary of 
State for Foreign Affairs, I have the honour to enclose 
herewith copy of a telegram which he has addressed to 
me recommending certain routes to be followed for ships 
wishing to trade to and from Norway, the Baltic, Den- 
mark and HoUand. 
I have, etc., 

Cecil Spring Rice. 



[Inclosure.] 

November 3, 1914. 

Please inform Government to which you are accredited 
that the Admiralty are issuing the following announce- 
ment. 

During the last week the Germans have scattered 
mines indiscriminately in the open sea on main trade 

» Not printed. 



15 

I'oute from America to Liverpool via North of Ireland. 
Peaceful merchant ships have already been blowTi up 
■with loss of life by this agency. Tlie ^^'^lite Star liner 
Ohjiiipic escaped disaster by pure good hick and but for 
warnmgs given by Britisli ciiiisers other British and 
neutral merchant and passenger vessels would have been 
destroyed. 

These mines cannot liave been laid Ivy any German 
ship of war. They have been laid by some merchant 
vessels ilj'ing neutral flag which have come along the 
trade route as if for purposes of peaceful commerce and 
while profiting to the full b}' imn^unity eujoyed bv neu- 
tral merchant ships have wantonly and recldessly en- 
dangered the Uves of all who travel on the sea regardless 
of whether they are friend or foe, civilian or military hi 
character. 

Mhielaying under neutral flag and reconnaissance con- 
ducted by trawlers, hospital ships and neutral vessels are 
the ordinary features ot Genuan naval warfare. 

In these circmnstances havuig regartl to the great 
uiterests entrusted to the British Navy, to the safety of 
peaceful comniercc on high seas and to the maintenance 
withui limits of hiternational law of trade between neu- 
tral coimtries, the Admiralty feel it necessary to adopt 
exceptional measures appropriate to the novel conditions 
under which this war is being waged. 

They therefore give notice that the whole of the North 
Sea must be considered a military area. Within this 
area merchant shipping of all kuids, traders of all 
comitries, fishing cratt and all other vessels will be ex- 
posed to the gravest dangers from mines which it has 
been necessary to lay and from warships searching 
vigilantly by night and day for suspicious craft. 

.\11 merchant and fishmg vessels of every description 
are hereby warned of the (hingers they encounter by 
enteruig this area except in strict accordance with 
Admiralty directions. Every effort wiU be made to 
convey this Avamuig to neutral countries and to vessels 
on the sea, but from the 5th of November onwards the 
Admkalty annomice that all ships passmg a Une drawn 
from the northern point of the Hebrides thrt)Ugh Faroe 
Islands to Iceland do so at their own peril. 

Ships of all countries wishmg to trade to and from 
Norway, the Baltic, Demuark and Holland are advised 
to come, if inward bound, by the English channel and 
Straits of Dover. There they will be given sailing di- 
rections which will pass them safely so far as Great 
Britain is concerned up the East Coast of England to 
Fame Island, whence safe route will, if possible, be given 
to Lmdesnaes Lightship. From this point they should 
turn North or Sotith accordmg to their destination, 
keeping as near the coast as possible. Converse applies 
to vessels outward bound. 

By strict adherence to these routes the comnierce of 
aU countries will be able to reach its destuiation in safety 
so far as Great Britain is concerned, but any straying 
even for a few miles from the course thus hidicated may 
be followed by serious consequences. 

British Embassy, 

Washinffton. 



16 

Pile No. 763.72/1174. 

Ambassador Marye to the Secretary of State. 
[Telegram.] 

American Embassy, 
Petrograd, November 5, 1914- 
Russian Government officially notifies Embassy that it 
has placed mines in zone from fifty-eight fifty north 
latitude and to east of twenty-first meridian also at 
entrance of GtJf of Riga and around Aland Islands and 
consequently entrance and exit of Finnish and Riga 
Gulfs forbidden.- 

Marye. 



File No. 763.72/1268. 

Ambassador Gerard to tlie Secretary of State. 

No! 261.] American Embassy, 

Berlin, November 1S,_ 1914. 
Sir: With reference to my cipher telegram No. 823, 
dated November 12, 1914,' I have the honor to transmit 
to you herewith a copy in translation of the reply of the 
German Government to the protest of the British Gov- 
ernment against the laying of German mines. 
I have, etc., 

. James W. Gerard. 



[Inclosure-Tranalation.] 

REPLY OF THE GERMAN GOVERNMENT TO THE PROTEST OF 
THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT AGAINST THE LAYING OF 
GERMAN MINES. 

It has been brought to the knowledge^of the German 
Government that the British Government addressed a 
Note to the neutral Powers under date September 20th, 
1914 protesting against the laying of German mines. It 
is asserted in the protest that the mines were laid in a 
way contrary to international law and in forbidden 
locahties; that they were not sufficiently anchored or 
under proper observance; and were not notified to the 
neutrals in accordance with rule. Furthermore attention 
is called to the declarations of the first German delegate at 
the Second Hague Peace Conference which are in con- 
tradiction with such practice and hkewise to the delib- 
erate injury to neutral trade which Germany's action on 
the open sea is alleged to involve. 

The German Government makes the following reply to 
this protest: 

I. 

In condemning the alleged German practice the British 
Government rehes on the 8th Hague Convention of 
October 18th, 1907, relative to the laying of automatic 
submarine contact mines. It overlooks the fact that 
under Article 7 of this Convention its provisions do not 

1 Not printed: gives purport of Inolosure herewith. 



17 

apply unless all the belligerents are parties to the Con- 
vention. Now Russia, which is aUied ^vith England, has 
not ratified the Agreement; it is therefore not binding 
by international law on any of the participants in the 
present war. 

Nevertheless the German Government has voluntarily 
held itself bound by its provisions, with the exception of 
Article 2, with regard to which France as well as Germany 
made express reservations. The assertion of the British 
Government that these provisions have been violated by 
Germany is emphatically denied. 

II. 

To firstly the British Government finds it a breach of 
international law that the German mines were apparently 
laid by fishing vessels, possibly imder neutral flag, imder 
the pretence of following the ordinary peaceable avoca- 
tions of fishing. Tlii§ assertion is incorrect and an 
invention; the Gennan mines wcvc laid exclusively by 
German warships. 

2. The British Government complains that German 
mines were laid as far as 50 miles from the British coast 
and not only on British but neutral trade routes. The 
Convention does not stipulate how far from the coast 
and ports of an enemy mines may be anchored, and 
there is no estabhshed practice in this respect in inter- 
national law; moreover the Enghsh statement of the 
distance of the German mines from the menaced coast 
is much exaggerated. The mines have been laid as 
close as the conditions of the anchoring grounds and the 
character of the coast permitted. The assertion that 
neutral trade routes have been blocked is imtrue; no 
German mines have been laid in any trade route from 
the high seas to a neutral port. 

3. The British Protest maintains fnrther that in 
numerous cases German mines were found adrift without 
having become harmless. The anchoring of mines by 
Germany has been carried out with all possible pre- 
caution. If some have drifted from their moorings 
in consequence of currents or storms their number is 
certainly much smaller than that of mines laid by 
England which have drifted ashore on the Belgian and 
Dutch coasts and have caused damage there through 
their undiminished explosive power. 

4. The obhgation of keeping mines mider surveillance 
which the British Government complains has been 
violated can naturally be enjoined upon a belligerent 
only as long as he retains command over that part of the 
seat of war where he has laid mines in a manner per- 
mitted by international law. As a rule therefore this 
obligation wiU apply only to defensive mines but not to 
offensive mines. When a belligerent has properly laid 
offensive mines and has duly notified their laying he is 
relieved of all further responsibihty. 

■ 5. In the British protest the charge is made that the 
German Government never issued any proclamation as 
to the places where mines were laid. This charge is not 
founded in fact. On August 7th, 1914 the German 



18 

Government communicated to all the neutral powers that 
the trade routes to Enghsh ports would be closed by 
mines by Germany. Neutral shipping was therefore 
notified of the fact of the laying of the mines and the 
zones where it had to look out for German mines. ' If the 
German Government did not give the exact situation of' 
the various mines this may well be understood from the 
conditions which forced the' laying of the mines. 

HI. 

The volume of strong words and moral indignation 
with which the British protest denounces the German 
Government to the neutral powers is not therefore 
justified at all by Germany's practice. This protest is 
plainly nothing but a cloak to cover up the serious viola- 
tions of existing international law laid down in the 
Declaration of London indulged in by England and a 
pretext to prepare public opinion^ for the closing of the 
North Sea contrary to international law which has since 
taken place and is equivalent in its economic importance 
to a blockade of neutral coasts. In view of these facts 
it is doubly remarkable that the British Government 
constitutes itself the advocate of the "estabHshed and 
generally accepted principle of the freedom of the seas 
for peaceful trade" obviously in the eyes of England, 
which is at war, the only peaceful trade is that neutral 
trade which brings goods to England, but not that which 
carries or might carry goods to her opponents. 
. The German Government is convinced that the con- 
tinual violation of neutral trade by England will every- 
where place the British' protest in its true light. ' The 
Gei-man Government is satisfied that for its part in tak- 
ing the measures required* by military exigency it has 
reduced asfar aspossible risk or injmy to neutral ship- 
ping, and has strictly followed the rules hitherto applied 
by civilized nations to maritime warfare. On the other 
hand. the infringement of vital neutral interests by Eng- 
land is capable of justification by no military exigency','. 
sin4e ithas no connection With any miUtary optotions 
and. is merely 'intended to strike 'at the 'economic system 
of -the adversary by 'crippling legitimate neutral trade'. 
This fundamental disregard of the very freedom of the ' 
seas which-, it 'has invoked deprives ^ the'- British Govero- 
nlent of any ri^-ht to appear as- the advocate of this 
freedom in the question of thei laying of mines, which is 
far less injurious to neutrals: .' . 

liEnv,ii^\>'November'-7y'i91-4'. ■': ' n . ■ > 



File No. 862.801/1. 

Ambassador Gerard to the Secretary of State. 

No. 271.]) , , . AMERiCAJf Embassy, . . ■ 

Berlin, November 17, IBl.j.. 
-Sir; With reference to your cable No. 598' of Novem- 
ber 9, 1914, and my reply No. 850= of November 1&, I 
have the honor to transmit to you herewith a copy in 

'Not printed. ^ Not printed. Gives substance of inclosure here-srtth. 



19 

translation of a communication received from the Im- 
perial Foreign Office, dated November 14, 1914, relative 
to the regulations for navigation in the German bay of 
the North Sea. 

Two copies of the publication, entitled "Nachrichten 
fiir Seefalirer," in whicli these regulations are printed, 
are likewise enclosed. 
I have, etc. 

James W. Gehard. 



[Inclosure-Translation.] 
Foreign Office. 
Nr. II U 4970-89541 . 

'The Foreign Office has the honor to inform the Em- 
bassy of the United States of America in reply to the 
Note Verbale of 12th instant, F. O. No. 1078, that the 
following are the material regulations, governing naviga- 
tion in the German Bay of the North Sea: 

1. Steamships are permitted to make for the German 
coast, to enter or leave the mouths of rivers only from 
sunrise to sunset, and in clear weather. Ships attempt- 
ing to point for the coast in the dark, in foggy or thick 
weather, run the risk of being shot at. 

2. All commercial steamers bound for the Eider, Elbe, 
Weser and Jade must first point for the Listertief-Buoy ; 
those boimd for the Ems should make directly for its 
mouth. ..;«.,.--•;(.),•. 

3. In the interest of the safety of the shipfe, ft pilot is 
obligatory from the Listertief-Buoy. 

4. If ships cannot obtam pilots, on accoimt of bad 
weather or for other reasons, they must either anchor 
or put out to sea again. 

The approximate location of the Listertief-Buoy is 55° 
3:3-4' north, 8° 17^' East. 

For the rest reference made to issue No. 59 of the 
"Nachrichten fiir Seefahrer" of 4th instant, pages 1006 
and 1007, two copies of which are attached.' 

American shipping interests can obtain any further in- 
formation from the "Nachrichten fur Seefalirer" which 
is accessible to them. 

Berlin, Nox^eniber 14, 1914. 



Pile No. 763.72/1268. 

The. Secretary of State to Ambassador Gerard. 

,,,,/ Department , OF State,' 

Washington, Decemher 8, 1914- 

Sir: In further acknowledgement of your despatch 

No. 261, of November 13, 1914, transmitting a copy in 

translation of th^' reply of the- German Government' to 

the protest of the British Govcn\raeiitagainkt tiro bring 

of German mines, vou arc informed that a' copy' thereof 

. .. " — ■ — ^-^-- >.,■> ... . .ii .■■ u u o. ^- V 

1 Not printed. . . . , . 



20 

has been forwarded to the American Ambassador at 
London for transmission to the British Foreign Oflice 
without comment. 
I am, etc., 

For the Secretary of State: 

Robert Lansing. 



File No. 841,801/33 

Consul General Skinner to the Secretary of State. 
[Extract.] 

American Consulate General, 

London, December 11, 1914. 
Sir: I have the honor to enclose herewith a full copy 
of a circular which I have received from the Admiralty 
in regard to the navigation of the North Sea and English 
Channel. 

I have, etc., 

Robert P. Skinner 



[Inclosure.] 
navigation in the north sea and ENGLISH CHANNEL. 

It is requested that Shipowners on receiving these in- 
structions will use their utmost endeavour to commimi- 
cate them as confidentially as possible to the Masters of 
their vessels, impressing upon them the necessity for 
preventing the information from reaching the enemy. 
These instructions should not be allowed to come into 
the hands of any persons who are not directly affected 
by them. 

The previous Notice on Navigation in the North Sea 
(dated the 14th October 1914) is cancelled. 

A. GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS. 

1. Local Naval or Mihtary Authorities may, at any 
time when they consider it necessary, close a port during 
certain hours without previous warning. 

2. Attention is called to the notice on the inside cover 
of aU Admiralty Sailing Directions and their Supple- 
ments, and to the following Admiralty Notices to Mariners 
of 1914: 

No. 1 of 1st January. 

No. 1528 of 14th September, Thames Approaches. 

No. 1690 of 28th October, River Thames. 

No. 1706 of 3rd November, Mined Areas. 

No. 1727 of 7th November, River Mersey. 

No. 1730 of 10th November, Orkney Islands. 

No. 1752 of 16th November, East Coast Ports. 

In the Notice to Mariners, No. 1752 of 16th November, 
the position of the Pilotage station of the River Humber 
to be established by the 27th November should read 
"7 miles E. S. E. (magnetic) from Spurn Pomt." 

3. AU lights may be extinguished and other aids to 
navigation removed or altered at any time without 
previous warning. 



21 



B. MINES. 

4. So far as is known at present there are, in addition 
to the minefields mentioned in Admiralty Notice to 
Mai-iners, No. 1752 of 1914, the following principal 
mined areas: 

(a) Off the Tyne 

(b) Off Flamborough Head 

(c) Off Southwold (southern limit 51° 54' N.) 

(d) British minefield within Lat. 51° 15' N and 51° 40' 
N.Long. 1° 35' E. and 3° E. 

C. SPECIAL INFORMATION AS TO ENGLISH CHANNEL AND 

DOWNS. 

5. On and after the 10th December hghts, buoys and 
fog signals in the Enghsh Channel and the Downs east- 
ward of a line joining Selsey Bill and Cape Barfleur and 
south of the parallel 51° 20' N., will be liable to ex- 
tinction or alteration without further notice. 

Trinity House pilot stations will be estabhshed as 
follows by the 10th December: 

St. Helens, Isle of Wight: Where ships proceeding up 
Channel can obtain pilots capable of piloting as far as 
Great Yarmouth. 

Great Yarmouth: Where ships from the North Sea 
bound for the Enghsh Channel or intermediate ports can 
obtain pilots capable of pUoting as far as the Isle of 
Wight. 

Dover: Where ships from French Channel Ports, but 
no other, can obtain pilots for the North Sea. 

The Sunk Light Vessel: Where ships crossing the 
North Sea between the parallels 51° 40' N. and 51° 54' 
N., but no others J can obtain pilots for the Enghsh 
Channel. 

Pilots also can be obtained at London for the Chamiel 
and the North Sea. 

6. Both before and after the above date (10th Decem- 
ber, 1914) aU vessels entering the North Sea from the 
Channel, or vice versa, must pass through the Downs, 
where they will be given directions as to their route. 

D. PASSAGES GENERAL. 

7. On and after 10th December, 1914, vessels pro- 
ceeding up or down Channel eastward of the Isle of 
Wight are very strongly advised to take pUots, as navi- 
gation will be exceedingly dangerous without their aid 
(see paragraph 5). 

8. Vessels proceeding up or down the East Coast 
should keep within 3 miles of the coast when consistent 
with safe navigation. The only exception to this is 
when passing the mouth of the Tyne. Here all vessels 
should pass not less than 4 miles but not more than 8 
miles from the coast between Sunderland and Blyth. 
Vessels bound to the Tyne must take a pilot off one of 
the above ports, as stated in Admiralty Notice to Mari- 
ners, No. 1752 of 1914. 



22 

E. PARTICULAR PASSAGES. 

(Note. — In each case return voyages should be made on same 
routes.) 

9. East Coast Ports to French Ports: See paragraphs 
5, 6, and 8. 

10. East Coast Ports to Dutch Ports: Proceed as 
directed m paragraphs 5 and 8. Leave the EngMsh- 
coast between the parallels of 51° 40' N. and 51° 45' N.; 
proceed between these parallels as far as long. 3° E., 
shape course thence to destmation. Vessels usmg this 
route (which passes between the British and German 
minefields) must clearly understand that they do so 
entirely at their own risk. 

11. East Coast Ports to Scandinavian or Danish Ports: 
Proceed as directed ia paragraphs 5 and 8 as far as Earn 
Island; then steer for the vicinity of Lindesnaes, and 
thence to destination, keeping in territorial waters. 

12. From Atlantic and Irish Ports or Ports on the 
South or West Coasts of Great Britain to Scandinavian 
or Danish Ports: Proceed via Enghsh Channel, being 
guided by paragraphs 5, 6, 7, 8, and 11. 

13. SaUing vessels bound to Scandinavian or Danish 
Ports: Pass to Westward of Ireland and of St. Kalda. 
Then make the Faroe Islands, and proceed from thence 
to destination, keeping 50 miles to the north of the 
Shetland Islands. 

14. All vessels boimd from East Coast Ports to West 
Coast Ports ia the United Kingdom, and vice versa, 
must pass through the Enghsh Channel, and not round 
the north of Scotland. 

Admiralty War Staff, 
(Trade Division,) 

SOth November, 1914. 



File No. 763.72/1440. 

The German Ambassador to the Secretary of State. 

[Translation.] 

J. No. A 869.] German Embassy 

Washington, February 6, 1915. 

Mr. Secretary of State: By direction of my Gov- 
ernment I have the honor to communicate the followiag 
to Your Excellency: 

It is Ivuown to the Imperial Government that Great 
Britaui is on the point of shipping to France large forces 
of troops and quantities of implements of war. Germany 
will oppose this shipment with every war means at its 
command . 

As peaceful craft may be, from being mistaken for 
vessels engaged in war operations, exposed to serious 
danger, the Imperial Govei-nment is placed under the 
necessity of warniag of such danger vessels approaching 
the North and West Coasts of France. Mei chant vessels 
repaii'ing to the North Sea are advised to steer aroimd 
Scotland. 

Accept, etc., 

For the Imperial Ambassador: 

Haniei- 



23 

File No. 841.80.1/35. 

Consul General STcinner to the Secretary of State. 
[Telegram.] 

American Consulate General, 

London, February 27, 1915. 
Mariners waxned navigation entirely forbidden to all 
ships of area in Irish Channel bounded on northwest by- 
line joining latitude 55 degrees 22^ minutes, longitude 
six degrees 17 minutes and latitude 55 degrees 31 min- 
utes, longitude six degrees 02 minutes bounded on south- 
east by hne joining latitude 55 degrees 10^ minutes 
longitude 5 degrees 24^ minutes and latitude 55 02 
minutes longitude 5 degrees 40i minutes bounded south- 
west by line from first described to fourth described 
point bounded northeast by line from second described 
to tliird described point. All traffic wishing to proceed 
tlu'ough North Channel must pass southward oi Rathlin 
Island between sunset and smirise. 

Skinner. 



File No. 763.72/1604. 

Amhassador Gerard to the Secretary of State. 

No. 615.] American Embassy, 

Berlin, March 2, 1915. 
Sir: With reference to my telegram No. 1719^ of the 
1st instant, I have the honor to enclose to you herewith 
a copy in translation of a Note Verbale received from the 
Imperial Foreign Office, dated February 28, 1915, rela- 
tive to the extent of the war area proclaimed by the 
German Admiralty. I have, etc., 

James W. Gerard. 



[Incloaure — Translation .] 



Foreign Office. 
Nr. Ill a 4333 
26052 



NOTE VERBALE. 



With reference to its Note Verbale of the 4th instant,- 
the Foreign Office has the honor to inform the Embassy 
of the United States of America, in order to avoid any 
doubts as to the northward extent of the war area defined 
in the proclamation of the Chief of the Admiralty Staff 
of the same day, that the waters surroimding the Orkneys 
and the Shetlands belong to the war area, but that na-^a- 
gation on both sides of the Faroe Isles is not endangered. 

The Foreign Office begs the Embassy of the United 
States of America to be good enough to inform its Gov- 
ernment of the above by cable, and to notify the Gov- 
ernments of Great Britain, Japan and Servia accordingly. 

Berlin, February 28, 1915. 
To the Embassy of the 

United States of America. 

' Not primed. Gives substance of inclosure herewith. 
» See Edeopean Waf. No. 1, pp. 52 and 53. 



24 

File No. 763,72/1549. 

Consul General SJcinner to the Secretary of State. 

[Telegram.] 

American Consulate Gbnebal 

London, March 6, 1915. 
Admiralty renews urgent warning to vessels to take 
London Trinity house pilot when navigating between 
Great Yarmouth and English Channel. While danger 
areas are publicly defined, Admiralty add, "it must not 
be supposed that navigation is necessarilj^ safe in any 
part of the southern waters of North Sea." 

Skinner 



File No. 841.801/40. 

Counsul General Skinner to the Secretary of State. 
[Telegram.] 

American Consulate General, 

London, May 17, 1915. 

Admiralty cancels notice on navigation North Sea 
dated November thirtieth, nineteen fourteen. Masters 
are strongly urged to obtain latest notices before sailing 
from British ports. Lights may be extinguished and other 
changes made without previous warning. In addition to 
mine fields in Firth of Forth, Moray Firth and Scapa Flow, 
following are principal mined areas as far as known: (A) 
off Tyne; (B) off Flamborough Head; (C) off Southwold, 
southern limit fifty one degrees fifty-four minutes N. D. ( ? ) ; 
British mine field between latitude fifty-one degrees fif- 
teen minutes N.; and latitude fifty-one degrees forty 
minutes N.; and between longitude one degree thirty- 
four minutes E., and longitude three degrees E. AU ves- 
sels entering North Sea from English Channel must pass 
between two light vessels off Folkestone, proceed to Downs, 
keeping inshore imagmary line joining southernmost of 
the two light vessels to the South Goodwin light vessel, 
further instructions in Downs. Vessels proceeding up 
or down east coast should keep withhi three miles of 
coast when consistent with safe navigation. Vessels 
from east coast ports to Channel and French ports should 
proceed to Downs, keeping within three miles of coast 
and follow Admiralty notice to mariners 239, at Downs 
further instructions will be obtained. Vessels from east 
coast ports to Dutch ports, should keep within three 
miles of coast, leaving English coast between the parallels 
fifty-one degrees forty minutes north, and fifty-one 
degrees fifty four minutes north, proceeding between 
these parallels as far as longitude three degrees east, 
shaping course thence to destination; this route passes 
between British and Gei-man mine fields and vessels 
proceed at their own risk. Vessels from east coast to 
Scandinavian ports should keep within three miles of 
coast, and proceed according to Admiralty notice 239, 
as far as Fame Island, then steer for Lindesnaes and 
thence to destination, keeping in territorial waters. 



25 

Route from St. Abbs Head to Stavanger, may be used as 
alternative. 

British and allied vessels wishing to use northabout 
route sliould apply to Customs, and neutral vessels must 
apply for permission tlu'ough their foreign representatives, 
and faiUng such permission proceed southabout. 

Sailing vessels from Atlantic to Scandinavian ports pass 
■westward of Ireland and St. Kilda thence Faroe Islands to 
destination, passing northward by fifty miles of Shetland 
Islands. 

SKiN>:L.ri. 



File No. 841.801/45. 

Consul General STcinner to the Secretary of State. 

American Consulate General, 

London, May 19, 1915. 
Sir: Referring to my telegram of May 17, setting forth 
briefly the terms of a notice on navigation in the North 
Sea and Enghsh Channel received from the Trade Divi- 
sion of the Admiralty on that date, I have the honor to 
enclose herewith, in duplicate, a full copy of the circular, 
together with the Admiralty Notice to Mariners referred 
to in the said circular. 
I have, etc., 

Robert P. Skinner. 



[Inclosure.] 

NAVIGATION IN THE NORTH SEA AND BRITISH HOME 

WATERS. 

The previous Notice on Navigation in the North Sea 
and English Channel (dated 30th November 1914) is 
cancelled. 

A. — GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS. 

1. Local Naval or Military Authorities may, at any 
time when they consider it necessary, close a port during 
certain hours without previous warning. 

2. Before leaving ports in the United Kingdom Masters 
of Vessels should be careful to obtain the latest Admiralty 
Notices to Mariners. Attention is called to the Notice 
on the inside cover of all Admiralty Sailing Directions 
and their vSupplements, and to the following Admiralty 
Notices to Mariners and any subsequent ones that may 
be issued: 

No. 1738 of 13th November 1914. River Medway. 

No. 1812 of 10th December 1914. Bristol Channel. 

No. 45 of 15th January 1915. Yarmouth Roads. 

No. 137 of 22nd February 1915. Irish Channel. 
North Channel. 

No. 165 of 8th March 1915. River Humber Pilotage. 

No. 228 of 26th March 1915. Dover Strait. Light 
Vessels established. 

No. 239 of 27th March 1915. North Sea, River Thames, 
and Enghsh Channel. 

No. 258 of 3rd April 1915. Portland Harbour. 



26 

No. 274 of 7bh April 1915. Caution when approacliing 
British Ports. 

No. 391 of 5th May 1916. Firth of Forth, Moray 
Firth, Scapa Flow. 

No. 408 of 8th May 1915. Kiver Tyne Boom Defence. 
Entrance Signals and Traffic Regulations. 

3. Care must be taken at all times to ensure Masters 
being in possession of the latest Notices to Mariners. 

4. Any lights may be extinguished and other aids to 
navigation removed or altered at any time without pre- 
vious warning. (Admiralty Notice to Mariners No. 1627 
of 9th October 1914.) 

B.— MINES. 

5. So far as is known at present there are, in addition 
to the mine-fields mentioned in Admiralty Notice to 
Mariners, No. 391 of 5th May 1915, the following principal 
mined areas: — 

(a) Off the Tyne. 

(b) Off Flamborough Head. 

(c) Off Southwold (Southern limit 50° 54' N.). 

(d) British mine-field between Lat. 51° 15' N. and Lat. 
51° 40' N., and between Long. 1° 35' E. and Long. 3° E. 

C. PASSAGES. GENERAL. 

6. AU vessels entering the North Sea from the EngHsh 
Channel must pass between the two Light vessels off 
Folkestone (see Admiralty Notice to Mariners No. 228 of 
1915), and proceed to the Downs, keeping inshore of an 
imaginary line joining the Southernmost of the two Light 
vessels to the South Goodwin Light-vessel. Further in- 
structions as to routes can be obtained in the Downs. 

7. Vessels proceeding up or down the East Coast 
should keep within 3 mUes of the coast when consistent 
with safe navigation. 

D. ^PARTICULAR PASSAGES. 

(Note. — In eacli case the return voyage should be made on the 
Bame route.) 

8. East Coast Ports to Channel and French Ports. — Pro- 
ceed to the Downs following the directions in paragraph 
7 and Admiralty Notice to Mariners, No. 239 of 1915. At 
the Downs further instructions wiU be obtained. 

9. East Coast Ports to Dutch Ports. — Proceed as directed 
in paragraph 7 and Admiralty Notice to Mariners No. 239 
of 1915. Leave the Enghsh coast between the parallels 
51° 40' N. and 51° 54' N.; proceed between these paral- 
lels as far as Longitude 3° E.; shape course thence to 
destination. Vessels using this route (which passes be- 
tween the British and Gennan mine-fields) must clearly 
understand that they do so entirely at their own risk. 

10. East Coast Ports to Scandinavian Ports. — Proceed 
as directed in paragraph 7 and Admiralty Notice to 
Mariners No. 239 of 1915, as far as Farn Island; then steer 
for Lindesnaes and thence to destination, keeping in terri- 
torial waters. The route from St. Abbs Head to Sta- 
vanger may be used as an alternative to the above route. 



27 

11. British and Allied vessels wishing to use the North 
about route should apply to the Customs for directions. 

Neutral vessels vvisliing to use the North-about route 
should be informed that application for permission to do 
so must be obtained through their Diplomatic represent- 
atives, and that, failing such permission, thej^ must pro- 
ceed South-about. 

In no circumstances are vessels allowed to pass through 
the Jklinches or through the Pentland Firth. 

12. Sailing Vessels from Atlantic to Scandinavian 
Ports. — Pass to Westward of Ireland and St. KUda. 
Then make the Faroe Islands, and proceed thence to 
destmation, passmg to the Northward of the Shetland 
Islands, and keeping 50 miles from them. 

Admiralty War Staff 
(Trade Division) 
15th May 1915 



File No. 841.S01/40. 

The Secretary of State to Ambassador W. H. Page. 
[Telegram.] 

Department of State, 
Washington, May 20, 1915. 
Admiralty announcement canceling notice on Naviga- 
tion North Sea of November 30, 1914, cabled by Skimier 
May 17th states that British and allied vessels wishing 
to use northabout route should apply to Customs, and 
neutral vessels must apply for permission, through their 
foreign representatives, and failing such permission pro- 
ceed southabout. 

Department does not fully understand the intention 
and effect underlying such regulations, and shaU be glad 
to have an immediate report on the subject from you. 

Bryan. 



File No. 841.8W/46. 

Ambassador W. H. Page to the Secretary of State. 

[Telegram.] 

American Embassy, 
London, June 5, 1915. 

Followmg reply received today from Foreign Office : 
"I did not fail to refer to the proper department of His 
Majesty's Government the notes which lour Excellency 
was good enough to address to me on the 22nd and 29th 
ultimo enquiring as to the Admiralty announcement can- 
celling the notice on navigation in the North Sea of No- 
vember 30th, 1914. 

"I have the honour to state in reply that the notice on 
navigation in the North Sea dated 15th May introduced no 
new regulations with regard to the northabout route. 
The notice was merely intended to summarise existing 
practice which has been evolved with the object of ensur- 
ing that trade passing northabout shall be hmitod in 
amount and reputable in character. 

"Many applications for vessels to use the northabout 
route have been received through the Legations of the 



28 

Scandinavian Powers in London and permission lias 
been granted. 

"I have the honour to add that any similar applications 
which may be made on behalf of United States vessels 
would of course receive equal treatment." 

Page. 



Pile No. 841.801/46. 

TTie Secretary of State ad interim to Ambassador 

W. H. Page. 

[Telegram — Paraphrase . ] 

No. 1721.] Department of State, 

WasJiington, June 16, 1915. 

Mr. Lansing states that the inquiry in Department's 
May 20th is not fully answered m the note of June 5th 
from the British Foreign Office. The Department is at 
a loss to understand the British Government's object in 
regulating foreign vessels' courses on the high seas as 
for example in paragraphs 10, 11, and 12 of the general 
instructions of the fifteenth of May enclosed m despatch 
of May 19 from Consul General appears to be the case. 

Mr. Page is directed to press the British Foreign Office 
for a further explanation. 



File No. 841.801/47. 

Consul General Sldnner to tlie Secretary cf State. 
[Telegram.] 

American Consulate Geneeal, 

London, June 23, 1915. 
Hydrographic Department, Admiralty issue notice 525, 
warning mariners danger passing through Pas de Calais 
between Le Colbart (the ridge) and French coast. Ves- 
sels from North must wait off Calais for pilot or instruc- 
tions, vessels from South must wait ofl^ Boulogne. 
Vessels not conforming above do so at their own peril. 

Skinner. 



File No. 841.801/49. 

Ambassador W. H. Page to the Secretary of State. 

[Telegram.] 

No. 2517.] , American Embassy, 

London, July 23, 1915., 
Your 1721, June 16. Following note received from 
Foreign Office, dated July 22 : 

' ' I did not fail to refer to the proper Department of his 
majesty's government the note which your excellency 
was so good as to address to me on the 18th ultimo re- 
garding the Admiralty announcement cancelling the 
notice on navigation in the North Sea on the 30th 
November 1914. 

' ' I have now the honour to inform your excellency that 
the action of His Majesty's Government in indicating 
routes to be followed by neutral merchant vessels in the 
vicinity of the British Isles and in the North Sea is based 
upon the fact that merchant vessels passing through the 



29 

North Sea run very grave risk unless they act in strict 
accordance with the directions of the Admiralty. Before 
issuing such special directions to a neutral vessel the 
Admiralty desires to bo assured that the vessel's voyage 
is undertaken with the laiowledgc and consent of the 
government of the country whose flag she flies, and for 
tl\is reason it is necessary that the apphcation by a 
neutral vessel for advice as to special routes should be 
supported by the diplomatic representative of the govern- 
ment in question. 

"If such support to the application is not given neutral 
vessels will not receive the special instructions as to the 
north aboutroute and wiU be advised to go soutliabout 
where they can be supplied with the latest warnings and 
obtain the services of pUots where necessary." 

Page. 



File No. 841.801/49. 



Tlie Secreiary of State to Amhassador W. H. Page. 
[Telegram.] 

No. 1908.] Department of State, 

Washington, July 26, 1915. 
Your 2517, July 23. Department understands re- 
quirement in Admiralty Notice May 15 that neutral 
vessels bound to North Sea by northabout route must 
obtain from Admiralty special directions through their 
diplomatic representatives applies only to vessels sading 
from British ports and not to vessels sailing direct from 
American or other neutral ports. Ascertain and report 
whether this understanding is correct. Have any Ameri- 
can owned or chartered vessels applied for such directions 
through Embassy or been interfered with for failure to 
apply. Also notify Consul-Gcneral. 

Lansing. 



File No. 841.801/51. 

Ambassador W. H. Page to the Secretary of State. 
[Telegram.] 

American Embassy, 

London, August 17, 1915. 
I am in receipt of a note from Sir Edward Grey in 
reply to my representations based on the Department's 
instructions which reads as follows : 

"I have the honor to inform Your Excellency in reply 
that in principle His Majesty's Government would desire 
that neutral vessels passing northabout from one neutral 
port to another should sail with the knowledge and con- 
sent of the Government of the country whose flag they 
fly and should foUow a track similar as far as possible to 
that used by vessels saihng from British ports. The 
difficulty of ensuring this is however so considerable and 
the responsibility of His Majesty's Government in the 
matter is so shght that no endeavor is being made in 
practice to secure any such limitation of sailuigs." 

Page. 



30 

File No. 841.801/53. 

Consul General SJcinner to the Secretary of State. 

[Telegram.] 

Amkkican Consulate General, 

London, Septeinher 3, 1915. 
Admiralty Order 764. Traffic in Straits Dover between 
Varne Shoal and Folkestone must pass between light 
vessels moored — first 2 J miles 140 degrees south 26 de- 
grees east magnitude (?) from Folkestone pierhead lati- 
tude 51 degrees 02 minutes 40 seconds north longitude 1 
degree 14 minutes 10 seconds east; second 5 cables 150 
degrees south 16 degrees east magnitude (?) from first. 
Ships disregarding this warning do so at own peril. 

Skinnee. 

File No. 841.801/72. 

Amiassador W. H. Page to the Secretary of State. 

[Telegram.] 

American Embassy, 

London, May 2, 1916. 
Following circular note received to-daj' from Foreign 
Office, dated May first, 1916. 

"The Secretarj' of State for Foreign Affairs presents 
his comphments to the United States Ambassador and 
has the honom- to acquaint him for the information of 
the United States Government that it has been found 
necessary to extend the eastern limit of the danger area 
of the British minefield off the Belgian coast, notified on 
the twenty-second October, 1914, so as to include the 
waters south of latitude fifty-one degrees, forty minutes 
north, as far as the Meridian of three degrees, twenty 
minutes east, instead of three degrees east as previously 
notified. 

Sir E. Grey would remind Dr. Page that the danger 
area as notified on the second October, 1914, comprised 
that situated between latitude fifty-one degrees, fifteen 
minutes and fifty-one degrees, forty minutes north, and 
longitude one degree, thirty-five minutes east, and thi'ee 
degrees east." 

Page. 



Hie No. 841.801/74. 

Ambassador W. H. Page to the Secretary of State. 

[Telegram.] 

British Embassy, 

London, May 29, 1916. 
Eespecting mine field oft' Belgian coast. 
Foreign Office inform me imder date Maj^ twenty- 
seventh that the Eastern limit of the danger area of the 
British mine field oft' the Belgian coast should be defined 
as the meridian of three degrees eighteen minutes east 
instead of three degrees twenty minutes east as pre- 
viously notifiedjn error. 

Page. 



31 

Pile No. 841.801/78. 

The British Airibassador to the Secretary of State. 

No. 193.] Beitish Embassy, 

Washington, July 1, 1916. 
Sir: I have the honoiu', in accordance with instruc- 
tions received from His Majesty's Principal Secretary of 
State for Foreign Affairs, to transmit to you herewith 
copy of an Admiralty Notice to Mariners, No. 618 of 
1916, relative to the necessity for the exercise of caution 
in navigating on account of certain mined areas in the 
North Sea. 

I am instructed to invite the attention of the United 
States Government to the extension of the danger zone 
as indicated at (B) in the enclosed notice. 
I have, etc., 

(For the Ambassador) 

COLVILLE BaRCLAT. 



[Inclosxire.] 

ADMIRALTY XOTICK TO MARINERS. 

No. 618 of the year 1916. 

NORTH SEA 

Caution with regard to Mined Areas. 

Former notice. — No. 541 of 1916; hereby cancelled. 
Caution. — ^Mariners are warned that a system of mine- 
fields has been established by H. M. Government upon a 
considerable scale. All vessels are strongly advised to 
obtain a London Trinity House pilot when navigating 
between Great Yarmouth and the EngMsh Channel. 

It is dangerous for vessels to enter the following 
areas. — 

(a) The area enclosed between the parallels of lati- 
tude 51° 15' N. and 51° 40' N., and the 
meridians of longitude 1° 35' E. and 3° 18' E. 
(J)) The area enclosed between the parallels of lati- 
tude 51° 40' N. and 52° 00' N., and the 
meridians of longitude 1° 55' E. and 2° 32' E. 
Remarlcs. — Although these hmits are assigned to the 
danger areas, it must not be supposed that navigation 
is necessarily safe in any portion of the southern waters 
of the North Sea. 

Note. — This Notice is a repetition of Notice No. 541, of 
1916, with addition of the danger area specified in para- 
graph (b). 

(Notice No. 618 of 1916.) 

Authority. — The Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty. 
(H. 3512/16.) 
By Command of their Lordships, 

J. F. Parry, 

Hydrographer. 
Hydrogkaphic Department, Admiralty, 
London, 9tJi June 1916. 



32 

FUe No. 841.801/80. 

Ambassador ^Y. H. Page to the Secretary oi State. 

[Telegram.] 

American Embassy, 

London, January 25, 1917. 

Following notice dated January twenty-fourth received 
from Foreign Office with request that it be brought imme- 
diately to attention of United States'[Governnient. 

" In view of the unrestricted warfare carried on by Ger- 
many at sea by means of mines and submarines not only 
against the Allied Powers but also against neutral ship- 
pmg and the fact that merchant ships are constantly sunk 
without regard to the ultimate safety of their crews, His 
Majesty's Government give notice that on and after the 
seventh proximo the undermentioned area in the North 
Sea wiU be rendered dangerous to all shipping by opera- 
tions against the enemy and it should therefore be 
avoided. 

"Area comprising all the waters except Netherland and 
Danish territorial waters lying to the southward and east- 
ward of a hne commencing four miles from the coast of 
Jutland in latitude 56 degrees north, longitude eight de- 
grees east from Greenwich and passing through the follow- 
ing positions: Latitude fifty-six degrees north, longitude 
six degrees east, latitude fifty-four degrees forty-five 
minutes east (?) thence to a position in latitude fifty- 
three degrees thirty-seven minutes north, longitude five 
degrees east, seven miles off the coast of the Netherlands. 

"To meet the needs of the Netherland coastal traffic 
which cannot strictly confine itself to territorial waters 
owing to navigational difficulties a safe passage wiU be 
left to the southward of a hne joining the following points: 
Latitude fifty-three degrees twenty-seven minutes north, 
longitude five degrees east, latitude fifty-three degrees 
thirty-one and haS minutes north, longitude five degrees 
thirty minutes east, latitude fifty-three degrees thirty- 
four minutes north, longitude six degrees east, latitude 
fifty-three degrees thirty-nine minutes north, longitude 
six degrees twenty-three minutes east." 

Page. 

Pile No. 841.801/83. 

Ambassador Page to the Secretary of State. 

[Telegram.] 

American Embasst, 
London, February 15, 1917. 
Following revised notice dated February thirteenth 
received from Foreign Office respecting dangerous area in 
North Sea which is intended to replace notice quoted 
my telegram 5544, January twenty-fifth, 1917: 

"North Sea. Caution with regard to dangerous area. 
Caution. In view of the unrestricted warfare carried on 
by Germany at sea by means of mines and submarines 
not only against the Allied Powers but also against 
neutral shipping and the fact that merchant ships are 
constantly sunk without regard to the idtimate safety of 
their crews. His Majesty's Government give notice that 
on and after the seventh February, 1917, the under- 
mentioned area in the North Sea wiH be rendered dan- 
gerous to all shipping by operations against the enemy 
and it should therefore be avoided. 



33 

"Dangerous Area. The area comprising all the waters 
except Netherland aind Danish territorial waters lying to 
the southward and eastward of a line commencing four 
miles from the coast of Jutland in latitude fiftj-sLx 
degrees north longitude eight degrees east and passing 
through the following positions: Latitude fifty-sbc degrees 
north longitude sLx degrees east and latitude fifty-four 
degrees forty-five mmutes north longitude foiu- degrees 
thirty minutes east thence to a position in latitude ififty- 
three degrees twenty-seven minutes north longitude five 
degrees east seven miles from the coast of Tlic Nether- 
lands. 

"To meet the needs of the coastal traffic which can 
not strictly confine itself to territorial waters owing 
navigational difficulties, it will be safe to navigate be- 
tween the coast of Jutland and a line passing through 
the following positions: Latitude fifty-six degrees north 
longitude eight degrees east latitude fifty-five degrees 
forty minutes north longitude eight degrees east latitude 
fifty-five degrees thirty-six minutes north longitude 
seven degrees fifteen minutes east latitude fifty-five de- 
grees thirt^'-two minutes north longitude seven degrees 
fifteen minutes east latitude fifty-five degrees twenty- 
two minutes north longitude seven degrees forty-five 
mmutes east latitude fifty-five degrees nineteen minutes 
north longitude eight degrees four minutes east latitude 
fifty-five degrees twenty-two minutes north longitude 
eight degrees nineteen minutes east which is three miles 
from the coast of Fano Island. 

"Also a safe passage ^vill be left along the Netherland 
coast southward of a line joining the following positions: 
Latitude fifty-three degrees twenty-seven minutes north 
longitude five degrees east latitude fifty-three degrees 
thirty-one and half minutes north longitude five degrees 
thirty minutes east latitude fifty-three degrees thirty- 
four minutes north longitude sLx degrees east latitude 
fifty-three degrees thirty-nine minutes north longitude 
six degrees twenty-three mmutes east." 

Page. 



File No.^763.72/3359a. 

The Secretary of State to the British Ambassador. 

No. 1485.] Department or State, 

Washington, February 19, 1917. 

Excellency: From time to time during the present 
war, as Your Excellency is aware, the Government of 
His Britannic Majesty have given notice of certain 
delimited areas of the high seas, designated as "niilitary 
areas" or "danger areas," ■ndthin which merchant ship- 
ping of all kinds, fishing craft, and all other vessels, 
were warned that they would be subject to the gravest 
dangei-s from mines laid by His Majestj-'s Government, 
and from hostile operations, and that they would enter 
such watei-s at their peril. This matter was referred to 
in the Departiuent's memorandum of August 13, 1914, 
and has been the subject of subsequent correspondence 
between the American Ambassador at London and the 
British Foreign Office. 

As the question of appropriating certain portions of 
the high seas for mihtary operations, to the exclusion of 
the use of the hostile area as a conmion highway of 
commerce, has not become a settled principle of inter- 
national law assented to by the family of nations, it will 



34 

be recognized that the Government of the United States 
must, and hereby does, for the protection of American 
interests, reserve generally all of its rights in the prem- 
ises, including the right not only to question the validity 
of these measures, but to present demands and claims 
in relation to any American interests which may be 
unlawfxiUy affected, directly or indirectly, by virtu e of 
the enforcement of these measures. 
Accept, etc., 

Robert Lansing . 



File No. 841.801/88. 

Ambassador W. H. Page to the Secretary of State. 
[Telegram.] 

American Embassy, 

London, MarcJi 23, 1917. 
My telegram 5701, February fifteenth. 
Foreign office in note dated March twenty-first state: 

"As from the first April, 1917, the dangerous area will 
comprise all the waters except Danish and Netherlands 
territorial waters lying to the southward and eastward of 
a line commencing three miles from the coast of Jutland 
on the parallel of latitude fifty-six degrees north and 
passing through the following positions: 

"One. Latitude fifty-six degrees north, longitude six 
degrees east. 

"Two. Latitude fifty-four degrees forty-five minutes 
north, longitude four degrees thirty minutes east. 

"Three. Latitude fifty-three degrees twenty-three min- 
utes north, longitude five degrees one minute east. 

"Four. Latitude fifty- three degrees twenty-five min- 
utes north, longitude five degrees five and half minutes 
east, and thence to the eastward following the limit of 
Netherlands territorial waters." 

Page. 



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■iilli'S'JIilliiiiliBHIIIIIIIII 



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